VFW DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON • 2026–2027
Honoring educators who help students become informed, engaged citizens and inspire respect for our nation’s veterans.
Local Post entry deadline: October 31, 2026
Teacher of the Year is part of the Department All-State Program. For all three grade levels, Districts must email their winning nomination packets to ADJ@VFWWA.net by December 15, 2026.
The Department Adjutant receives District entries for all three grade levels.
Individual nominations begin with a participating local VFW Post.
The Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award recognizes outstanding citizenship education in three categories:
Highlight classroom work that builds civic responsibility, patriotism, and community participation.
Four categories, each worth 1–25 points:
Post and District officials should complete the applicable certification sections before advancing each winning packet.
Nominations must reach the participating Post by midnight.
Posts forward their selected winners to the District.
Districts email winning packets for K–5, 6–8, and 9–12 to ADJ@VFWWA.net.
The Department submits its winners through the VFW dashboard by the national deadline.
Washington’s December 15 Department deadline applies to District submissions. The currently published national rules specify February 1 for Department-to-National submissions.
District winning packets: Email the Department Adjutant at ADJ@VFWWA.net.
Program questions: Contact the Department Teacher Award Chair at pruett.brandon@yahoo.com.
Suggested email subject: 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year — District [number] — Grades [K–5, 6–8, or 9–12]. Attach the completed packet before sending.
Use the current national documents linked below when preparing a nomination.
